By Ariele Johannson

June 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Any pet owner who has lost their pet - be it Schnauzer, iguana, Siamese cat, or parrot - knows how disconcerting and even agonizing it can be to find your pet has disappeared. Wouldn’t you want someone professional to help you locate your pet who considers your lost pet “a missing family member?"  Pet Search and Rescue detectives Annalisa Berns and K9 Handler Judy Britton help pet owners locate their lost pets intact; or in some cases, to get closure if the pet has not survived. These Pet Detectives use search dogs and a combination of techniques. Pet Search and Rescue has an impressive 80% success rate.

By Janis Mork

June 13, 2013 (San Diego)--“When I woke up, I was confused, I was terrified,” recalled Santee resident Johana Guzman, who was in a coma for two weeks after she was struck by a car while trying to protect her 2-year-old son.  With help from Sharp Hospital’s Rehab Services, she overcame her injuries and now helps others. “We are warriors,” she said. “Hard times are opportunities to be better,” she told ECM. “I believe inner strength heals us, helps us to see clearly the value of life. We must never give up our dreams.”

On May 31, Guzman was honored at the annual Victories of Spirit event at Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Four individuals and one organization received the Eagle Spirit Award, named for the most potent healing symbol of the Navajos. Honorees also included Mike Buxbaum, Anne Herman, and Zach Meno of La Mesa for patient achievement. San Diego State University Fitness Clinic for Individuals with Disabilities was honored for community achievement.

May 30, 2013 (Santee) – The Knights of Columbus of Guardian Angels Church, located at 9310 Dalehurst Rd., Santee, CA  92071, is having a large rummage sale on June 1 and 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday.

Some proceeds go to the Church pantry, which helps people in need, as well as other charity projects supported by Knights of Columbus.

May 27, 2013 (San Diego) – “Our school community was deeply saddened as we learned of the magnitude of the widespread devastation caused in the community of Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding areas. The absolute destruction has profoundly affected the lives of thousands of the residents in that area,” Chaim Heller, head of the San Diego Jewish Academy wrote in a letter to parents of students.  “Jewish tradition teaches us "Al Taamod al dam re'echa" (Do not stand idly by while our neighbors are in pain). San Diego Jewish Academy has a longstanding tradition of reaching out to help any and all who are in need. We believe that our Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and (acts of loving kindness) are essential components of our instructional program at San Diego Jewish Academy.”

By Janis Mork

May 22, 2013 (Alpine)- On May 21, Alpine Soroptomist had a special meeting to honor the organization’s Women of Achievement Award recipient, Brenda Killingbeck (pictured with program chair, Patty Tweed, and her two sons). She came with her sons,  Clayton, 9, and 6-year-old Mason.

“The Women of Achievement Award is awarded to a single mom in East County trying to make a better life for herself, who is trying to support her family, enhance her career, or change careers,” said Patty Tweed, program chair.

She introduced Killingbeck and read a short biography about Killingbeck, an Alpine resident and nurse whose actions helped locate a missing elderly man.

May 22, 2013 (Lakeside) – The Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society presents their Wild West Casino Night 2 on June 1, 2013 at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, Lakeside, CA from 6-10 pm. It benefits Saving Horses Inc., a San Diego horse rescue charity.

Ticket price is $20/person & includes $200 in play chips. Beer or wine glasses are $20 each and come with 5 free drink tickets. Raffles, silent auction, door prizes, roulette, black jack, craps & poker tables.

Live music by the Honky Tonk Kings, food available for purchase by Descanso Junction Restaurant & Catering.

May 15, 2013 (El Cajon) – Concerned Citizens of El Cajon will be meeting on May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at IHOP, 1286 Oakdale Avenue, El Cajon.  The meeting will be to address concerns and solve problems.  Everyone is welcome and can bring their concerns.  Concerns can also be posted at http://www.elcajonneighbors.org/blogs.html.

By Janis Mork

May 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)- James Pearson from Ember Arts has been helping Ugandan women escape poverty by selling their beautiful Acholi beads in America. 

This fascinating story began in 2006, when Pearson first discovered the Acholi beads.  While visiting Uganda for a nonprofit, he saw women working in a rock quarry, doing back-breaking work for just a dollar a day.  Life was extremely difficult for these women, who were war refugees, and for their families.

By George Dominguez

May 4, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) --Daunting as it may seem, Joe “Tiger” Patrick II is walking across America to honor the fallen heroes of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.  This week, his journey took him through East County, where he met with local firefighters and paramedics.

"I felt a compelling need to do something to honor to our fallen heroes, to give people a close up view of those we lost.   This isn't a political statement, but an expression of love and respect for those who volunteered to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us here at home," said Tiger.  He honors the fallen by carrying a memorial mosaic panel which contains a picture of every fallen warrior.

April 29, 2013 (El Cajon) – ACES Foundation El Cajon Animal Shelter will be auctioning Barkitecture Animal Houses to raise money for the ACES Foundation. The event will be May 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at O’s American Bistro, #75 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon. 

Tickets are $25 and include an auction number, appetizers, and wine or beer.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.acesfoundation.org or at the door.

By Miriam Raftery

After high winds on April 8 ripped their trailer home off its foundation west of Jacumba in Bankhead Springs, Dewey St. Julien and Virginia Hogan found themselves homeless. They lived in their truck and later, a motel with help from Red Cross. Now they are on a list hoping to receive a home from Habitat for Humanity. 

“They asked how they could repay what blessings have come their way,” said Lorrie Ostrander, who has been assisting the young coupe.  So tonight, April 18, Julien and Hogan have organized a spaghetti dinner to benefit Julie Atherton, a Mountain Empire Health employee with breast cancer.

The dinner will be held at the Mountain Empire Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road in Campo.  Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $3 for children. A silent auction will also be held.

By Miriam Raftery

April 17, 2013 (La Mesa) – Community members are invited to support arts programs in local schools on May 2, 2013 from 5-8:30 p.m. when winners of the Golden Artistry Jewelry Design competition will be unveiled at the La Mesa Community Center’s Arbor Room, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.

Students from the Grossmont Union High School District compete annually in the competition sponsored by Golden Artistry. The program benefits arts programs in GUHSD schools. The winning design will be made into a dazzling piece of jewelry by master goldsmith Terry Whyte. You can vote for the Community’s Choice Award; this year’s theme is “growth.” View finalists: http://goldenartistrydesigncompetition.webstarts.com/

“When I was exposed to metalsmithing, it seemed accidental. I saw a professor silver solder a strip of silver into a ring form, and I knew I had to try to make a ring,” says Whyte.  Three weeks after completing his first ring, he recalls, “I was in business. Nearly three years later, I was accepted into an apprenticeship situation with an English goldsmith.”

April 11, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – You’re invited to enjoy an evening of bingo, black jack, craps, and roulette as well as silent auctions, raffles, food and drink. It’s all part of the fun at Casino Night 2013, hosted by the San Miguel Knights of Columbus, Soroptimist International and Kiwanis Club of Lemon Grove on Saturday, April 20.

Admission is $15; for an extra $10 you can purchase a chicken dinner from 5:30 to 7:30.  The Casino Night runs from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at 8086 Broadway (St. John of the Cross Knights of Columbus Hall) in Lemon Grove.

For more information, call JoAnne Burke at 619-469-8350.

April 9, 2013 (Santee)—The Santee community is organizing a benefit for a Santee family whose kindergarten boy is battling brain cancer.  Diagnosed just this past December, Dylan Pourner has become bed ridden, is on oxygen 100% of his time and is in the process of starting a "research" chemo after the last treatment failed to shrink his very large tumor.

The two largest benefits will be a Coffee Benefit April 16 from  6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a Concert Benefit April 20 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The "Coffee Benefit" will be held at Coffee Corner cafe at Mast and Carlton in the Pathways Community Church parking lot.  The Concert Benefit will be at the Pathways Community Church.

Frog race offers $10,000 first prize, all to benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center

By Caprice Harrison

April 3, 2013 (El Cajon) – St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in El Cajon will host its 15^th annual, “Morning Glory Brunch- With a Country Flair” on Saturday, April 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This special event is being held in the Center’s Organic Garden, located at 2119 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon. The event includes:

• Over 20 food and beverage stations from local restaurants
• Boutique shopping
• Live music and entertainment on multiple stages
• “Arts Alive!” floral creations by Jasmine Creek Florist
• The eighth-annual, “Frog Race” with $10,000 in cash prizes!

NEW features this year include: Children’s activities, arts and crafts, face-painting and a “Froggie Pond” with kid-friendly prizes! Each “froggie” is only $5 or, three (3) for $10. Each “frog” is $100 or $150 for two (2).